Tshisekedi announced on Sunday he planned to form a new coalition in which ministers loyal to his predecessor Joseph Kabila command more than 300 seats in the 500-member parliament.
“The present majority has crumbled and a new majority is required,” he said, adding that if he failed to form a new coalition, fresh elections would be the solution
He said he may have to dissolve parliament and hold a fresh election if he could not form a new coalition.
President Tshisekedi said he could use constitutional prerogatives that have been invested in him to come back to the population, a sovereign people, and ask for their majority.
In 2019 Tshisekedi took over from Joseph Kabila, who was in office for 18 years. But he need to forge a coalition with the pro-Kabila FCC, which has prevented much-needed reform.
In October, Tshisekedi revealed there had been discord over major issues with the FCC-dominated government.
These included national security, the management of state assets, the independence of the judiciary and the organisation of elections.
Tshisekedi meanwhile held emergency talks with pro-Kabila Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga on Monday afternoon.
Last week, the FCC accused Tshisekedi supporters of trying to bribe deputies to switch parties. The president’s supporters then sought the resignation of the pro-Kabila speaker of the lower house.
Last month, he embarked on three weeks of consultations with various parties and political figures, seeking “the sacred union of the nation”, in his office’s words.
The growing tensions have sparked international alarm with the African Union calling on the country’s leaders to “work resolutely and sincerely for national harmony and to preserve peace and stability”
